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EYES ON VISAYAS. Pope Francis waves next to Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle during a ceremony to bless the new image of St Pedro Calungsod of Philippines at St Peter's Basilica on November 21, 2013 at the Vatican. Photo by Tiziana Fabi/AFP

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine military chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr gave assurances that Pope Francis will be safe when he visits the Philippines next year.

"We are preparing a very elaborate security plan for our Pope. We are so elated and awaiting the visit of the Pope," Catapang said in briefing before the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on Tuesday, September 2.

"We won't fail the Pope in his visit here," he added.

Pope Francis will visit the Philippines from January 15 to 19, 2015, to meet earthquake and typhoon survivors in the Visayas, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle earlier announced.

Tagle said the Vatican will release other details "later in the year."

Before his arrival in the Philippines, Francis will visit Sri Lanka from January 12 to 15, 2015. – Rappler.com

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).